For years I have taken some heat for not competing! The age old argument of how can you teach if you don’t compete is one I have heard said about me for years. I really not paid a lot of attention to because quite frankly that is horse crap and most of us know that. But because of those comments and criticisms about that in the past I firmly planted my heels several years ago to avoid shooting for score. I love to shoot but have never had that competitive bone anyhow. I still really don’t care too much about the numbers except for I know that when I do shoot there will be some folks I know who will be watching intently to see how Elizabeth Lanier Fennell, NSCA Level III instructor, performs.

For the last 2.5 years I have travelled with my now husband on the competitive circuit. I have watched Will and other friends shoot and loved seeing all the courses and all the targets. I have shot very little on “courses” over the last 6 years as I have been so busy with other life things but I have shot birds and lots of clays at private locations, and with the GRITS. Certainly not enough to practice up my up my own personal game. I spent almost 20 months working to shoot left handed and went back to my right side (a whole other article in itself) further confusing myself. And then I did something really out of character in September. I got conned into shooting my first ever FITASC event at the Southeast Regionals no less. I was so nervous I thought I would puke or pass out, whichever came first. To my great shock, neither happened and I actually had fun!

So then I did something really crazy. I got talked into shooting the Nationals by a good friend, Linda Henson and I thought, what the heck? I have nothing to lose…’cept my butt apparently, which I did! Good grief, I was so nervous I totally blew my first four stations on each course of the Main Event. I when I say blew it, I sincerely blew it. Down about 23 targets each time, I then shot like I could care less and did much better. There was still no road to recovery after the abysmal start on each course of the Main and that was that. Since I had completely botched the main event I decided to shoot the Krieghoff Cup for fun because I had already proved how bad I could shoot. After a slow start on the first couple of stations, I rallied, just enjoyed it and pulled out a respectable score for someone who had so much ground to make up (and egg to wipe off face)!

What did I learn? That this competitive stuff is all about mental performance and practice. My hat is off to all those who get out there and compete on a regular basis because though they make it look easy, it “ain’t”! I have never downplayed that at all, I just realize it a little more! All I have ever done is go out there, laugh, giggle and not focus too much in the box. My passion is wing shooting and if you miss a bird it really doesn’t count, because another will come. Naturally I hit a lot more because I am not shooting “not to miss”. In other words, I am not trying to make it perfect. I am looking at the bird and the rest just happens. I am not checking the bird barrel relationship, not thinking of the line, not thinking about a big fat doughnut on my score card, I am just shooting.

I found in the Main Event is I was so nervous about performing because I was an instructor, thinking everyone will think I should be able to hit everything, and as it went, I ultimately employed nothing, nada, zero about what I teach! Sounds weird, right? Not so much. It has been a wonderful learning curve for me in managing the mental game and stressing my own pre-shot planning. I talk about it almost every single day and never have I thought about it more than when teaching but I thought about it very little while shooting myself! I thought a lot about nothing but screwing up and I did….I measured a lot, and focused very little on the target or better said, the little stuff on the target. It gave me an excellent perspective on what goes through other shooters minds and has allowed me to be able to better help my students and manage performance anxiety. This happens to all shooters, competitive clay shooters, competitive bird shooters and just those of us who enjoy shooting for nothing but fun. Some folks were born to compete, others not so much. Some of us have to work much harder at it than others.

What do I want to do now? I want to shoot with my husband and friends at these shoots, just trying to remain focused on what is in front of me vs. the “background” noise in my own mind and not worry so about who is judging my teaching ability compared to my posted scores at shoots. I have spent years developing my teaching style and am as passionate about that and my students as anyone out there. Now comes the time for me to enjoy just shooting courses and COMPETITIONS and not worry so much about proving anything except how much I enjoy the game.

Well said Elizabeth enjoyed reading and you're welcome to shoot on any squad I'm part of anytime.

Reply

Elizabeth Lanier Fennell

1/9/2018 03:34:48 am

Jerry, Thanks so much for the invitation and I am so glad you liked the read! I am gonna plug away at it! Cheers!

Reply

Karen Buckley

1/9/2018 01:59:24 pm

I owe Elizabeth Lanier an enthusiastic “thank you” for introducing me to the sport! Like so many women who have been brought into shooting by Elizabeth’s exceptional teaching style and instruction, I had no idea whether I wanted to compete, or just shoot because it is fun. Well, I bought my first gun (Beretta 686 20 ga) two years ago, and started competing just last summer at Fun Shoots. I am joining NSCA (and renewing my GRITS membership) this year. I plan to upgrade my gun to a more competitive 12 ga and take a lot more lessons to focus on achieving my personal goals. I bet there are lots and lots of women shooters who are entering the sport because of the great foundation Elizabeth gave us!

Reply

Elizabeth Lanier Fennell

1/9/2018 05:04:31 pm

Hey Karen~Thanks so much for your super sweet note above! I love what I do and there is no denying it! You have been an avid and passionate participant in this sport and you just keep pluggin'! Glad to hear you are enjoying the fun shoots and I hope to see you soon! Thanks again! Cheers!